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I am actually somewhat surprised that rural school districts haven't argued for pooling state funding assets. The focus always tends to be on the Urban vs Subur
by germinalphrase 10y ago
I am actually somewhat surprised that rural school districts haven't argued for pooling state funding assets. The focus always tends to be on the Urban vs Suburban divide (and cultural politics involved with suburban flight, etc.) - but rural schools would far and away be beneficiaries of such a policy change.
- Spooky23 10y agoRural districts want independence. Pooling of funding always results in consolidation.
- germinalphrase 10y agoI have been under the impression that economic want fuels consolidation: as funding is reduced small districts must consolidate into a smaller number of larger schools. I believe this is what has happened in Kansas - small towns have lost local schools and kids are bussed into larger, more centralized school districts. Anecdotally, I've heard fears that this might threaten the long term stability of the small towns as kids will be less inclined to move back. Can't speak to that personally, though.
- Spooky23 10y agoOnly in extreme cases. It's hard to kill institutions. States and counties drive consolidation by paying for things.
- germinalphrase 10y agoAssuming that states/counties are not merely cutting a check to school districts (as they do for Title One funding). Using the state level department of education as a pass through to aggregate and distribute funding per student doesn't neccessitate that they can then dictate consolidation on school districts.